Breathing mask



Nov. 11, 1958 c. H. HUDSON, 2,859,748

' BREATHING MASK Filed July so, 1955 INVENTOR. O/ARMs flz/won C 2,859,748 Ratented Nov. 11, 195.

BREATHING MASK Charles H. Hudson, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 30, 1956, Serial No. 600,997

6 Claims. (Cl. 128-146) This invention relates to an improved breathing mask of the type utilized for administering oxygen or other ofthe person wearing the mask so as to diffuse the oxygen and to prevent an objectionable current of air from striking the face.

" One object of the invention is to provide a suitable breathing mask that can beso inexpensively produced that it is practical to use it as an expendable mask assigned to a particular patient and discarded once that person ceases to need it, instead of having to resterilize the mask. p

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and practical way of attaching to the mask the tube that conducts the oxygen into the mask.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and inexpensive structure by which the oxygen released inside the mask is deflected away from direct impingement against the face of the person to whom the gas is being administered.

Heretofore, the problems indicated by the objects above have either not been solved at all or have resulted in impractical and expensive structures. Never before has a mask capable of beingused as .an expendable mask been able to solve these problems.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment presented in accordance with 35 U. S. C. 112.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in front elevation of an oxygen mask embodying the principles of the present invention. The inlet tube which conducts gas therewithin is shown broken off to conserve space.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of the mask of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective on a reduced scale showing the mask as worn by a person.

The mask preferably comprises a shaped shell arched to fit about the nose and mouth. The shell is preferably constructed from soft pliable polyethylene or a similar non-toxic plastic material and is relatively thin in cross section so as to be soft and flexible. Such a mask tends to mold itself to the face of each patient, is light in weight, and is sufficiently low in cost to warrant its use as a disposable or expendable hood. The arch provides a shape generally resembling that of a persons nose with a downwardly and outwardly sloping bridge portion 11 outward converging side portions 12 and 13 and an upwardly sloped bottom surface 14 all meeting at a rounded dome-like portion 15. Preferably the mask is provided with an outturned flange 16 for the sake of comfort, and a strap 17 is attached by suitable means so as to hold the mask 10 snugly around the face of the person wearing it, as indicated in Fig. 3. A pair of exhalation openings 18, 18 of any desired size or shape may be provided at a convenient location. As shown in'the drawings they extend through the lower surface 15, although they. may be in the sides and may be differently shaped.

In the present invention a supporting bracket member in the form of a disc 20, which may be of plastic or may be of other materialis bonded, cemented or secured by a rivet 21 to the lower outside surface 14 of the shell 10. Depending upon molding techniques, it may instead be molded as an integral portion of the shell. This supporting disc 20 is provided with an opening 22, preferably round in shape. The shell 10 itself is also provided with an opening 23 preferably of the same shape and size spaced away from the opening 22 through the disc and preferably lying in a plane that is inclined rather than parallel to the plane of the opening 22 (see Fig. 2). Through these two openings 22, 23, which are generally aligned as stated, extends an inlet tube 25 leading from the source of gas, such as a regulator attached to an oxygen cylinder, to the space 26 enclosed by the mask. This tube 25 is preferably made of vinyl or similar type of plastic tubing so as to be flexible and somewhat compressible and preferably of a kind which will take somewhat of a compression fit. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the'diameter of this tubing 25 should be larger than the diameter of the openings 22 and 23 through which the tubing 25-is to pass, but not so much greater as to preclude its insertion through them. Because of its flexibility such a tube 25 can easily be deformed and inserted through the smaller openings 22 and 23 with the sides of the openings pinching somewhat frictionally against the walls of the tube 25. When once inserted correctly, the tubing will, left in-this position, assume enough compression set so that it will be very diflicult to remove or d-isplace'the tubing. Because of the two changes in direc tion may by having the openings 22, 23 lie on inclined planes, the tubing 25- cannot be pulled out; also its flexiibility tends to stretch it rather than to cause it to slip smoothly and easily through the openings 22, 23. Also the pinch-ing of'the walls restricting it with the aid of the compression set tends to create resistance to slipping.

Another important feature of this invention is provided by the inner end '27 of the tubing 25 being cut off at an angle, preferably about sixty degrees or more, though almost any substantial angle will accomplish the purpose for which this is intended. When the tubing is cut oif at an angle, the opening 27 in effect lies on one side of the tubing 25, and the longer part 28 which lies on the other side acts as a shield. The gas exhausted through the opening 27 therefore is exhausted from the open side with the shield 28 deflecting it. The shield 28 is arranged to lie opposite the persons face and the gas is therefore deflected against the dome portion 15 of the mask 10. i

The opening 27 may be and preferably is positioned substantially opposite the dome portion 15 and acts to dilfuse the oxygen through the mask 10 without having a stream of the oxygen strike the patient.

In operation, after the mask is put onto the patient, Oxygen is fed in through the tubing 25 and it is diffused by the opening 27 through the mask 10 by striking the wall of the shell. The tubing 25 is held firmly by the two openings 22, 23. The exhalation gases leave the mask through the openings 18.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

l. A breathing mask, including in combination a selfsupporting shellprovided with suitable means for.exe halation therefrom and with a first opening; a disc supported on the outside of said shell, said disc having a second opening spaced away from said first opening;.and a flexible tube having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of said openings but compressible enough to be passed through them, said tube being held therein against movement due to the pinching against its wall, said tube terminating inside said shell with the end cut at an angle to channel gas toward said shell.

2. A breathing mask to fit on a persons face including in combination a self-supporting shell provided with suitable means for exhalation therefrom and with a first opening; a tube-support member supported on the outside of said shell and having a second opening spaced away from said first opening and lying on a plane inclined to the plane of said first opening; and a flexible tube having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of said openings but compressible enough to be passed through them, said tube being held therein against movement due to their pinching against its Wall, said tube terminating inside said shell with the end cut at an angle to channel gas toward said shell and away from the persons face.

3. V A breathing mask, including in combination a plastic shell provided with exhalation outlets therefrom and with a first opening; tube-support bracket means supported on the outside of said shell, said means having a second opening therethrough and spaced away from said first opening in said shell and inclined with respect thereto; and a flexible tube having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of said spaced and relatively inclined openings but compressible enough to be passed through them, said tube frictionally engaging the sides of said openings at spaced points therealong and being held therein against movement due to their pinching against its sides with the free end of said tube terminating inside said shell.

4. A breathing mask for covering the nose and mouth of a persons face While supplying oxygen for breathing into the space enclosed thereby, including in combination a self-supporting shell having an inner, enclosed sur face and an outer surface and provided with suitable means for exhalation therefrom and with a first opening therethroughga disc supported by the outer surface of said shell, said disc having a second opening therethrough spaced away from said first opening; and a flexible tube for conducting oxygen into saidrspace, said tube having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of said openings but compressible enough to be passed therethrough, said tube passing through said openings and held by them against movement, said tube passing into said space and terminating in an opening cut to an angle to exhaust the oxygen on one side to deflect the oxygen against said inner mask surface and away from direct impingement on said persons face.

5. A breathing mask for covering the nose and mouth of a persons face while supplying oxygen for breathing into the space enclosed thereby, including in combination a self-supporting shell of flexible non-toxic plastic having an inner, enclosed surface and an outer surface and provided with suitable means for exhalation therefrom and with a first opening therethrough; a plastic disc supported by said shell on its outer surface, said disc having a second opening therethrough spaced away from said first opening and having its plane inclined thereto; and a plastic tube for conducting oxygen into said space, said tube having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of said openings but compressible enough for being passed therethrough, said tube passing successively through said second and first openings and held by them against movement due to the pinching each of them effects on its wall, said tube passing into said space and terminating in an opening cut at an angle inclined toward said mask so that the opening is shielded from the persons face and deflects the oxygen against said inner mask surface and away from direct impingement on said persons face.

6. A breathing mask for covering the nose and mouth of a persons face while supplying oxygen for breathing into the space enclosed thereby, including in combination a self-supporting shell of flexible non-toxic plastic hav- References Cited in the file of this patent -UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,675,803 Kaslow Apr. 20, 1954 

